INTRODUCTION - UT Proceedings

Marc DAUWE, Belgium
Antwerp Maritime Academy
Micha LIBERT, Belgium
Antwerp Maritime Academy
Axel ANNAERT, Belgium
Antwerp Maritime Academy
Topic L: the hydrographic profession
Hydrographic Training in Belgium
INTRODUCTION
Nautical charts for mariners, tidal predictions and information on changes in navigational
areas are indispensable to the global merchant marine, and offshore, dredging and
underwater projects. Collecting data on the world’s oceans and seas is the responsibility of
hydrographers. Their expertise is essential to modern society and economic systems,
underlining the importance of quality education in this field.
Recent survey studies in the Netherlands 1 and Belgium 2 however, have pointed to a
weakness in hydrographic training in both countries, with a shortage of both suitable
programmes and institutions offering such training. In Belgium, most hydrographers are
engineers who are trained within a company. This implies a potentially unnecessarily long
period of training before they are fully employable as hydrographers. 3
A market study on hydrographic surveyors in Belgium revealed that over 300 hydrographic
surveyors are active in Belgium, of whom a large portion are not certified. Moreover, the
industry would need another 35 new hydrographic surveyors annually. With this in mind, the
present system of companies using in-­‐house training of existing engineers risks inefficiency,
as well as missing the benefits of a healthy academy in support of the industry.
Investigations on a global scale underline the shortage in hydrographic surveyors even
further. 4
Only few institutes in Europe offer programmes in hydrography, especially in English or the
advanced category. In such a globalised set of industries as professional hydrographic
expertise is required in, the lack of adequate training in English at the highest level
represents a serious weakness. The Antwerp Maritime Academy (HZS) responded to the
growing need with postgraduate programmes in hydrography. The institute established the
postgraduate programmes Cat. B and Cat. A.
1 Annelies Claeys, “Rapport hydrografieonderzoek” (Ma diss., Ghent University, 2009).
2 Rodrigue Bijlsma, “Hydrografie” (Ba diss., Antwerp Maritime Academy, 2011); Rodrigue Bijlsma, “Hydrografie.
Het in kaart brengen van de Belgische hydrografische sector, de Europese IHO gecertificeerde opleidingen en
Het Institute For Hydrography” (Ma diss., Antwerp Maritime Academy, 2012).
3 Bijlsma, “Hydrografie. Het in kaart brengen van …”, p. 83.
4 Ibid.

METHODS
History and the establishment of a programme
Some situations underlined the need for a proper programme in hydrography. The
continuous interest in the introductory course in hydrography at the HZS, and the results of
the market research, indicating a deficiency in top level professional qualification and
certification, revealed a niche for setting up the first full programme of hydrography in
Belgium.
The HZS organised a round table discussion concerning the absence of proper education for
professional hydrographers. Several higher education institutes, Flanders Hydrographic
Services, Flanders Hydraulics and the industry attended the discussion in March 2010. The
conclusion of the meeting was clear: there is a need for hydrographic training in Belgium and
the new programme should put a strong emphasis on international recognition and
accessibility.
During several meetings over the course of two years, continuous deliberation led to the
definition of the programmes. The entry requirements and duration of the courses were also
discussed and finalised, allowing lecturers to be identified and commissioned. Throughout
proceedings, the flexibility of the course was held as the key criteria for the success of this
new training programme.
As a result of careful management the postgraduate programmes were established by the
HZS in close collaboration with Ghent University (UGent), Flanders Hydraulics, and partners
from the maritime industry. The official launch of the ‘Institute for Hydrography’ within the
HZS took place in March 2012.
Programme
The postgraduate programmes in hydrography were established in full accordance with the
IHO Standards of Competence S-­‐5: a category B programme for hydrographic surveyors and
a category A programme for chief hydrographic surveyors. Both programmes consist of a
two year training course, during which the HZS provides a solid theoretical framework
complemented by practical and hands-­‐on experience.

The timetables of the two, 2 year postgraduate programmes in hydrography run along
similar lines. The first semester consists of 14 weeks of theory courses followed by
examinations in January. This theory is then put into practice during a semester of practical
projects, workshops, seminars and visits during which the students are rotated between
different organizations, both industry practitioners and training establishments.
This approach provides the students with the opportunity to put their theoretical framework
to good use in a practical environment. After successfully finishing this year of the
programme, students are awarded a declaration.
The second year focuses on fieldwork at a company or institute, from amongst the partner
organizations, to further develop the student’s practical skills. During this year students
experience real work as a hydrographer and prepare themselves thoroughly for their future
careers.
After completion the student receives a category B or category A certificate depending on
the programme they have been following.
Quality and certification
The Antwerp Maritime Academy is certified ISO 9001:2008 5 . All activities of the Institute for
Hydrography are incorporated into the Maritime Academy’s quality system. As such, the
school vouches for the high quality and excellence of its students, including hydrography
postgraduates.
5 ISO 9001 are a set of standardized requirements for a system of quality control employed by a firm or
institution. More info on www.iso.org.

A crucial element that grants accreditation and lends validity to a programme and
certification such as this one is its acknowledgement by an institution of note, respected in
the field. The HZS is in the process of acquiring acknowledgement by the International
Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in Monaco, the authority in the field of hydrographic
survey. This vital recognition will allow the programme to fully develop its reputation
through excellent training, and to be at the forefront of development in the industry.
To continuously monitor the quality of the programme, an interactive correspondence with
students and industry has been made an integral part of the programme. This results in a
constant upgrading of the course and practical training, keeping all aspects of the
programme fully up to date and on the leading edge of industry methods and thinking. For
this purpose a steering council has been established within the Institute to ensure quality
and innovation. The steering council is responsible for decision-­‐making, oversight,
monitoring and follow-­‐up of the programmes.
Furthermore all courses are delivered by lecturers expert in their fields. The cooperation
between the different partners allows specific knowledge and skills to be taught by those
individuals best qualified to do so; leaders in their fields. The collaboration between the HZS
and UGent results in an immediate concentration of collective knowledge and experience,
which enables it to become one of the leading institutes of hydrography globally.
Compatibility and Flexibility
Candidates for the postgraduate programme cat. B are required to present a Bachelor’s
degree. There is no field of study specified so any Bachelor can be admitted. Candidates
have to prove their knowledge of Mathematics and Physics, as well as sufficient English
proficiency. The knowledge of basic sciences is essential as science is the basis of most
courses and this minimum of scientific accomplishment should be established at the
beginning of the course.
Participants with relevant competences may be eligible for exemptions for certain modules.
Based on documentary proof, the extensive application portfolio and personal interviews, a
selection committee decides on exemptions for each candidate on an individual basis.
The programme structure allows the students great flexibility. Because of the modular
system, the theoretical courses take place during the first semester of the first programme
year. The second, third and fourth semester consists of fieldwork, during which the students
engage in a specialized placement in the industry as trainees.
STCW educational decrees enable already active hydrographers to take up a flexible and
individual curriculum. The candidate can choose to extend the programme courses over a
period of maximum five years, thus allowing part-­‐time work at one’s own pace. This serves
to ensure as seamless as possible an integration between existing in-­‐house training
arrangements and a more institution based approach.
HYDROGRAPHY AT HZS
The HZS as an educational institution focuses on the future with a scientific and innovative
approach. Its aim is to provide outstanding programmes that answer to both the institute’s

standards and the international IHO standards of competence. Establishing a course in
hydrography and meeting the demands of both the industry as well as the professional-­‐to-­be,
was therefore a logical step. In addition to freeing up industry training resources and
streamlining the process of becoming a hydrography professional, the benefits of
centralised, concentrated yet easily accessible expertise are not to be underestimated.
Only a few institutes in Europe offer English language programmes in hydrography. With
English as the course language, we are able to accommodate students from all over the
world. With this, the Antwerp Maritime Academy underlines another element of its mission:
international purveyance of education.
Continuous quality control and upholding high standards is a priority. The HZS pays extra
attention to partnerships to safeguard the excellence of its training programmes. With a
team of experts from academic and industry backgrounds, supported by specialized
equipment, students receive a solid theoretical framework. The negotiated training
opportunities enable students to practice their learnt skills in a professional environment,
ensuring graduates are in the best possible position to thrive as hydrographers from the
start of their careers.
Students can create an individual curriculum and study relevant subjects at a time most
convenient and sensible for them in relation to their individual studies. Students may be
eligible for exemptions from particular modules when they have previous knowledge or
experience in a field. To ensure an open, international approach and increase accessibility,
all courses are taught in English. This flexibility puts the programmes in an exceptional
position to cater for students and active hydrographers alike.
PROSPECTS
The delivery of certified and capable hydrographers is the principle aim of these educational
programmes. For a field that is in constant need of qualified people, in a country lacking any
hydrographic training, the creation of the postgraduate programmes is a direct solution to
the problems of this demand.
During the start-­‐up of both programmes, its workings are closely monitored to evaluate and
improve processes. The partnership with other educational facilities and interested parties
within the maritime sector will ensure constant feedback and keep the training relevant at
all times. At the same time the documentation needed for IHO accreditation will be finalized
in order to validate the certificates issued by the HZS.
In the coming years the HZS envisions that the hydrography programmes will be promoted
amongst students, interested people and people that are already active in the field.
Academically, the postgraduate programmes would evolve towards a more standard
academic structure to become more embedded and accepted as a field of study.
In the long run, the programmes aim to contribute to hydrographic institutions, the
participating industry and the international nautical community as a whole. By employing
high standards, the HZS aspires to deliver competent professionals, help build on the quality
of education and make sea and subsea activities better and safer.

CONCLUSION
Hydrography is an important field that should not be neglected by academic institutions,
which through close links with industry are uniquely placed to drive forward expertise in this
field. The demand for certified hydrographers calls for a programme that can provide this
highly qualified personnel trained for the specific and demanding task at hand.
In just two years Belgium has gone from an optional introductory master course to a full-­fledged
programme with the collaboration of higher education institutes, governmental
bodies and the industry itself. The quality, flexibility and international allure of this course
provides present and future candidates from any background with an attractive set of skills
and prospects.
The aim of the HZS is to equip their students with the necessary knowledge and abilities to
become competent and confident hydrographic surveyors. Extensive practice and fieldwork
combined with an approved theoretical framework will enable graduates to successfully
pursue their professional careers in the hydrographic field.
REFERENCES
Bijlsma, Rodrigue. “Hydrografie. Het in kaart brengen van de Belgische hydrografische
sector, de Europese IHO gecertificeerde opleidingen en Het Institute For Hydrography.” Ma
diss., Antwerp Maritime Academy, 2012.
Bijlsma, Rodrigue. “Hydrografie.” Ba diss., Antwerp Maritime Academy, 2011.
Claeys, Annelies. “Rapport hydrografieonderzoek.” Ma diss., Ghent University, 2009.
International Hydrographic Organization. Standards of competence for Hydrographic
Surveyors S-­‐5. Monaco: The Hydrographic Bureau, 2011. Accessed May 30, 2012.
http://www.iho.int/iho_pubs/standard/S-­‐5_Ed_11.0.1_06May2011_Standards-­‐Hydro.pdf.
International Organization for Standardization. ISO 9000 essentials. Accessed June 6, 2012.
http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_9000_essentials.
CONTACT DETAILS
Micha LIBERT
Antwerp Maritime Academy
Noordkasteel Oost 6
B-­‐2030 Antwerpen
BELGIUM
Tel.: +32 3 205 64 81
Fax.: +32 3 225 06 39
Email: micha.libert@hzs.be
Web site: www.hzs.be/hydrography
LinkedIn account: http://be.linkedin.com/pub/micha-­‐libert/46/b46/32